Barrel Points Down when Revolver Sights are Aligned?

Contentious issue on another site.

If the top of the rear groove is aligned with the top of the front sight on (some/most/all) revolvers the barrel is obviously pointing down. Why?

Autopistols seem to align parallel with the barrel. Are they?

Obviously for ballistics to work and to hit the target where desired the barrel MUST be pointing upwards at the time the bullet leaves the barrel.

Any good sources to explain this?

It probably has a lot to do with the delay of the recoil impulse of an auto versus the more instant impulse of the revolver.I think it's generally accepted that recoil starts at the moment of ignition.It's why magnum revolvers generally have really tall front sights.-Mike

1911 barrel drops 1 degree from back to front for lock up. For a 5” barrel that’s 0.087”!
Jon

The time the bullet is in the revolver barrel changes point of bullet impact at 25 yards.

Lower velocity bullets will impack higher on target then high velocity.

Many years ago I took my dad's chiefs special out to play with. At 25 yds it was pretty much poa with 158 cast. 110 jhp was about 18 inches low.

A number of my revolvers, that I mostly shoot with light cast bullets, have the rear sight cranked all the way to the bottom. And I think, at least in part, it's because I shoot one handed now, with my weak (left) hand, because with the right or both it's too shaky.

"I think it's generally accepted that recoil starts at the moment of ignition."

It certainly should be accepted. Physics dictates that as soon as the bullet experiences forces the gun experiences the opposite forces.

But there are those that aren't convinced.

In the linked thread, I have the same username as here. Found a great article on how revolvers used to be taught from the 1930s and great 20k+ fps video as rebuttal to the mere 1200fps video that was posted at the beginning.

https://www.waltherforums.com/forum/#/topics/114626